first, favorite, choice, finest, top, pick, prime, flower, cream, elite, crème de la crème (French), utmost, salt of the earth*, pick of the crop*, cream of the crop*, tops*.

favorable, fortunate, advantageous; see helpful 1, hopeful 2.

skillfully, ably, capably, as well as one can; see well 2.

at most, under the most favorable conditions, under the most favorable circumstances, according to the most favorable interpretation, at the outside*.

well, in one's prime, at the top of one's form, in one's best mood; see able 2, healthy 1.

outdo, overcome, defeat, outwit; see defeat 1, 2, 3, surpass, win 1.

tolerate, get by, manage, make do; see endure 2.

excellently, well, ably; see excellently, well 2.

worst, get the better of, overcome, outdo; see defeat 1, 2, 3, surpass.